Reusable brush cleaning accessory and method of use

ABSTRACT

A brush accessory for fitting over the bristles and head of a brush, such as a hairbrush used for pets or humans. The accessory generally includes a stretchable band surrounding a stretchable mesh web which fits between the bristles of the brush. Optional pull tabs and brush handle loops can be connected to the stretchable band for easy removal and secure attachment to the brush handle, respectively.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/880,488, filed Oct. 12, 2015, whichclaims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/178,704,filed Apr. 17, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a brush cleaning accessory,and more specifically to a reusable accessory which attaches to brushes,such as hairbrushes, for easy cleaning and removing of debris, such ashair, from the brush.

2. Description of the Related Art

Brushes, such as hair brushes for humans and animals, become cloggedwith hair and other debris through use. It is often difficult to removethis hair and other material without leaving some small amount behind.This also becomes time consuming. What is needed is a reusable devicewhich quickly and easily removes all hair and other debris from a brushin a single action.

Heretofore there has not been available a hairbrush accessory system ormethod of use with the advantages and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a brush accessory for fittingover the bristles and head of a brush, such as a hairbrush used for petsor humans. The accessory generally includes a stretchable bandsurrounding a stretchable mesh web which fits between the bristles ofthe brush. Optional pull tabs and brush handle loops can be connected tothe stretchable band for easy removal and secure attachment to the brushhandle, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating variousobjects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodimentof the present invention in a typical environment affixed to a brush.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof, showing thepreferred embodiment of the present invention removed from the brush.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional isometric view from an alternative angleof that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionabsent its environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction andEnvironment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart how to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up,down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientatedin the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly”refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometriccenter of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof.Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction oftravel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similarmeaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Brush Accessory System 2

Referring to the figures in more detail, FIGS. 1-4 show the preferredembodiment brush accessory 4 in its typical environment affixed to abrush 6, such as a hairbrush. As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic band 8wraps around the head 14 of the brush 6, and the stretchable mesh net 10weaves between the bristles 18 of the brush. The brush accessory 4 isplaced onto the brush 6 before the brush is used, and then can beremoved from the brush, which simultaneously removes all hair or otherdebris caught between the bristles 18.

An optional pull tab 12 may be placed on one or both ends of the elasticband 8. These tabs may be made of the same material as the band or anysuitable material. Similarly, the band may be made of any stretchablematerial other than elastic, such as rubber or spandex. The pull tab 12shown in FIG. 1 is a simple loop which aids in pulling the accessory 4from the brush head 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, another such pull tab12 is placed on the other end of the band 8, which tab can be loopedaround the handle 16 of the brush 6, ensuring that the accessory 4remains with the brush in the case of accidental removal from the brushhead 14, and also helps secure the accessory 4 to the brush head.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the accessory 4 by itself. Here it is shown tohave a basically elliptical shape prior to being formed over the head ofa brush. However, any shape may be suitable for the accessory 4,including circular, rectangular, or square. The pull tabs 12 similarlymay be flat pieces of material, such as leather or rubber, rather thanthe loops as shown.

In practice, the accessory 4 is placed over the head 14 of the brush 6by stretching the band 8 around the exterior of the brush head 14. If apull tab 12 is affixed to the band, it may be looped around the handle16 of the brush. The mesh web 10 becomes interspaced between thebristles 18 of the brush 6. The brush may then be used for cleaning orfor hair brushing. Once finished with the brushing action, the accessory4 is removed from the brush head 14. As this occurs, all hair and otherdebris woven between the bristles 18 is pulled away from the brush head14 along with the accessory 4, thereby cleaning the brush. The elasticband 8 contracts after being removed from the brush head, and the band 8and webbing 10 cups around at least a majority of the hair and debris,causing the hair to be easily captured for disposal rather than fallingto the ground. If a pull tab is affixed to the band 8 and not loopedaround the handle 16, that pull tab may be used to help pull theaccessory 4 from the brush head.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects ofthe invention have been shown and described, the invention is notlimited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A method of cleaning a brush, themethod comprising the steps: placing a brush cleaning accessory on thehead of a brush, said brush cleaning accessory comprising a stretchableband having an interior area and a stretchable mesh net connecting tosaid stretchable band and filling said interior area of said stretchableband, said stretchable mesh net configured to be interspaced betweenbristles affixed to said head of said brush; brushing an object withsaid brush; and removing said brush cleaning accessory from said head ofsaid brush, thereby displacing debris located between said bristles. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps: looping a pull tabaffixed to said stretchable band over a handle of said brush; andsecuring said brush cleaning accessory to said brush via said pull tab.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step: pulling a pulltab affixed to said stretchable band, thereby pulling said stretchableband away from said head of said brush.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein said debris comprises hair.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps: contracting said stretchable band upon removalfrom said head of said brush; deforming and displacing said stretchablemesh net; and cupping said stretchable mesh net about said debris,thereby capturing said debris within said stretchable mesh net.